Moderated by Diário de Notícias, another debate recently took place promoted by Freemasonry Regular at Grémio Literário, organized by the Benjamin Franklin Institute and the Masonic Academy, institutions respectively promoted by António Rebelo de Sousa and Jorge Rio Cardoso, this time bringing together as speakers Álvaro Beleza, Guilherme d’Oliveira Martins and Rui Pereira, around two interrelated themes; the integrity of institutions and the fight against corruption.
Both speakers and participants mentioned the word “perceptions” throughout the debate, one of the most used words these days, often accompanying calls for attention to the discrepancies between the public image of a situation, institution, event or figure, and the actual reality of the facts, increasingly difficult to achieve amid the facilitism, immediacy and Manichaeism that surround us, not only on social networks and digital platforms but even in the media themselves or in circumstances that would require another institutional care.
The annual Transparency International (TI) report, which was in the news a few days ago, did not place Portugal in a good place in the world. ranking in terms of the integrity of institutions. We must highlight it and understand its conclusions, particularly when it points to the non-existence of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy in force, which, according to TI: “Limits the existence of a structured and coordinated framework of priorities, goals and execution instruments”.
However, we must also take into account the title of the report itself: Corruption Perception Index 2025which clarifies what it actually is; a document whose methodology for collecting perceptions must be complemented by other factors that allow a balanced view of the whole.
Briefly, I would like to highlight two positive developments in this context and a medium-term challenge. The first event, after a decade of discussion, was the recent publication by the Assembly of the Republic of the law that defines, for the first time, the concept of lobby or “legitimate representation of interests” in Portugal. Long desired, it finally puts us on par with most other European countries in terms of procedures, with regard to the relationship between the private and public sectors, for establishing decisions. We hope that its regulation will now move forward quickly. It is a very beneficial initiative for the transparency of the functioning of our powers and institutions. Its effective implementation must be expeditious and effective.
The second event that I highlight is the progressive reinforcement of the public presence of those responsible for Menac, making their voices heard in a lucid way on the topic. With a new administration elected a few months ago, the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism faces the difficult mission of promoting transparency and integrity in public action and ensuring the effectiveness of policies to prevent corruption and related offenses.
In this sense, we should highlight a recent statement by the president of Menac, José Mouraz Lopes, when he stated that “it cannot be said that Portugal is a corrupt country” and that “there is no rational sustainability in this idea”. In his words: “There are still people who are being investigated in the political sphere. Now, we cannot make a generalization that Portugal is a corrupt country. Menac is committed to clarifying what is perception and what is reality.” A task that I consider essential and extremely worthwhile.
Finally, after the two positive events mentioned, draw attention to the main challenge facing Portuguese political decision-makers, which will be the transposition into our legislation of the first European Anti-Corruption Directiveapproved by the EU last December, with the aim of harmonizing criminal legislation in this area among Member States. It will be a complex challenge, but it will certainly be completed if we want to continue following a path that places Portugal on a well-deserved level of transparency and accountability, both in the public and private sectors.
Leave a Reply